Mark Ingram Expected to Retire
Mark Ingram is rumored to retire and join FOX Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” show, as reported by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
Ingram would reportedly replace fellow former Saints running back Reggie Bush on the program, as his contract is expiring.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise as Ingram told Alabama.com’s Mark Inabinett in April that he wanted to continue his playing career and felt he could still be a valuable part of a running back committee in 2023.
“I think sharing backfields, I think not getting overloaded with 300 carries a season for like five or six seasons in a row, I think that has helped me make it to Year 13 and still have a good body where I feel strong, I feel explosive, I feel like I can contribute and produce at a high level,” Ingram said.
In 2019, Ingram inked a contract with the Ravens where he earned Pro Bowl honors and totaled 1,265 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. However, since then, Ingram’s production has significantly dropped off.
He was with Houston for the start of the 2021 season until being dealt back to New Orleans in October. Ingram would also spend the ensuing season with New Orleans, where he amassed 493 rushing yards on 130 total carries.
The Saints opted to not bring Ingram back for the 2023 season. Instead, turning to 2022 rushing touchdowns leader Jamaal Williams and 2023 third-round draft pick Kendre Miller as the depth backs behind Alvin Kamara.
A look back at Ingram’s career
Ingram began his career as a first-round pick to New Orleans in the 2011 NFL Draft. In New Orleans, Ingram amassed 6,500 rushing yards, had two 1,000-yard seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Since entering the league, Ingram is sixth in rushing yards, and sixth in rushing touchdowns.
Although Ingram has had a prolific NFL career and seems to have tread left on his tires, there seems to be relatively little to zero interest across the league in adding him to a roster. Ingram joins fellow veteran running backs Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt as proven unsigned commodities.
Instead of continuing to seek a suitor for a 13th NFL season, it seems Ingram will pursue covering and analyzing games from the booth.
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